Merck CEO Explains His Decision to Speak Out Against President Trump
/Merck CEO Ken Frazier was the first to speak out after hearing President Trump's response to the violence in Charlottesville, VA. He left the President's American Manufacturing Council and started a trend for others to follow. In a recent New York Times interview, Frazier explains his decision:
“In that moment, the president’s response was one that I felt was not in concordance with my views. And I didn’t think they were in concordance with the views that we claim to hold as a country.”
“I wanted to say that this was a statement I was making in terms of my own values, and the company’s values, and there was unanimous support for that,” he said. “My board supported that 100 percent.”
In the interview, Frazier tells of another time he demonstrated courage—when he fought for the release of a man on death row.
Discussion:
- Explain what might be Frazier's decision process for leaving the council.
- Do you think he made the right decision? Why or why not?
- How does Frazier demonstrate courage?
